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Great first appearance but rough around the edges

When we got to the hotel from the airport, it seemed very plush from the outside and a very welcoming and has a very nice lobby area. When you get inside the staff do their job to check you in but lack personal skills – with a basic welcome and little or no information about the hotel given to us or a nice hello. Our room was big, but from what I could gather, most are smaller. It was clean but you can tell it needed freshening up and was a little dated. But by far the most worrying was the ants in the corner of the room by the tea/coffee tray. We did complain and asked for it to be dealt with, but they took their time and we didn’t get a apology or any sort of reaction which suggested some sort of embarrassment on their behalf. A free drink to say sorry would have even helped.
It wasn’t a massive problem but even a few ants in a small corner does get you worried they could get any where.
After 1 day in Georgetown we wanted to explore other areas of the island – to be frank you only need 1 clear day in Georgetown max as there is only a few things to do in small area which you can walk around easily.
After asking the hotel they were not very helpful and wanted to charge us...When we got to the hotel from the airport, it seemed very plush from the outside and a very welcoming and has a very nice lobby area. When you get inside the staff do their job to check you in but lack personal skills – with a basic welcome and little or no information about the hotel given to us or a nice hello. Our room was big, but from what I could gather, most are smaller. It was clean but you can tell it needed freshening up and was a little dated. But by far the most worrying was the ants in the corner of the room by the tea/coffee tray. We did complain and asked for it to be dealt with, but they took their time and we didn’t get a apology or any sort of reaction which suggested some sort of embarrassment on their behalf. A free drink to say sorry would have even helped.

It wasn’t a massive problem but even a few ants in a small corner does get you worried they could get any where.

After 1 day in Georgetown we wanted to explore other areas of the island – to be frank you only need 1 clear day in Georgetown max as there is only a few things to do in small area which you can walk around easily.

After asking the hotel they were not very helpful and wanted to charge us a stupid amount to get to the Penang Hill via taxi and the Kek Lok Si Temple (which are both very close to each other and around a 30min drive away from the hotel). So we researched and after asking other people we went to the bus station which is a 10/13min walk from the hotel. This took us to the hill and the temple. You can also take a bus to Batu ferringhi as well which is also close to other smaller attractions like the butterfly farm (takes around 30/40mins in the bus). Battu ferringhi has great food options and is on the beach (not the best beach) and lots of tourist shops and places to book tourist trips as well as hotels. Please do not be scared of the buses, they are very clean, safe and run on time till around midnight and have a set system to pay (take many small notes, as change is not given)

In addition, the hotel tried to get us to eat in the up market street behind which has expensive western style food places. Being from London we wanted local food and not western stuff. We explored around ourselves and found a very good food hall which is I think is on a street called Lebuh Leith (only a 5min walk from the hotel and is hidden behind a large car park, look carefully and don’t be scared to ask any one). Ask the staff if you are unsure as it’s a bid hidden...More

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Stayed: November 2013, travelled with friends

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Ask kam s about Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

bhgpg, General Manager at Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang, responded to this reviewResponded 12 December 2013

Dear kam s,

Greetings from Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang.

Thank you for your comprehensive review of your recent stay with us and your overall perception of Penang island.

I sincerely apologize for the poor experience that you had received from the front office team that had checked you in and I will get my Front Office Manager to look into improving this. I also apologize for the sighting of ants in the room.

On your comment of the taxi service, I am not sure of what had transpired. We have a private limousine counter at the lobby of the hotel that is managed by an external tour company as well as a public taxi service just outside the hotel.

On your comment of food, I am baffle as I cant seem to recall of any upmarket street behind the hotel. Penang is famous for it's hawker food and as you rightfully mentioned, there is a hawker center just beside the hotel. I regret the communication breakdown.

Thank you very much for nice comments on our buffet breakfast.

We will certainly look in ways of improving and we hope to welcome you back soon.

Kind regardsLawrence PereraHotel Manager

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

I have booked 3 rooms for my famiy holidays. Hotel should improve on their service. Over the 3-night stay, one of the room was not given hand tower; have to call to get them; quite anoying.Water flow in the bath tub was slow, "flood" whenever you shower. One of the room with burst shower pipe.Rooms were clean. LCD TV was OK, but no much programs to watch. Overall the stay was OK

Stayed: December 2013, travelled with family

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Ask PangEP about Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang

Thank PangEP

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

bhgpg, General Manager at Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang, responded to this reviewResponded 8 December 2013

Dear PangEP

Greetings from Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang.

Thank you very much for your feedback.

With regards to your comment on the hand towel, I apologize for the inconveniences but we do not provide hand towels as a standard amenity in all rooms. Hand towels are only provided in the higher room categories and in all other rooms the hand towels is on a request basis. My staff should have advise you on this from the beginning.

I would appreciate it if you could message me the room number where the water flow in the room bathtub was slow and the burst shower pipe so that I can get my maintenance team to look into this and rectify the fault immediately.

Thank you for staying with us and I sincerely hope that the issues that you had encountered will not deter you from staying with us in the future.

Kind regardsLawrence PereraHotel Manager

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I stayed in your hotel last week and was surprised to see a cockroach running out the kitchen while I was in the coffee shop having my breakfast. I was told by one of your staff that it was normal. Which I don't think so. I was not surprised to see today's star news paper (5th December 2013) carrying a full page article about a 4 star hotel in Penang being slap with a compound for being a dirty kitchen. I did not have the time to check with the authorities which hotel it was, but if it was the Bayview Hotel, I think the management and staff deserve it as they take other peoples health with no respect and value.

Stayed: November 2013, travelled on business

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Ask Johncso about Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang

Thank Johncso

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

bhgpg, General Manager at Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang, responded to this reviewResponded 6 December 2013

Dear Johncso,

Greetings from Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang.

Thank you very much for bringing this up to my attention. I am utterly shocked at your feedback as we have been practicing a monthly pest control exercise here without fail. I have instructed my Executive Housekeeper to get the pest control company to do an intensive exercise so as to get rid of any pest in the kitchen.

As for the newspaper article you mentioned, it was reported that the hotel concerned was in the Tanjung Tokong vicinity. Please let me assure you that it was not us.

Once again, I thank you for your feedback as it is with feedbacks from guest that we can improve and we certainly will do so.

Kind regardsLawrence PereraHotel Manager

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The Bayview hotel is quite old but nicely decorated. I had some trouble to find the carpark and had to walk some stairs to access the lift to go to the hotel reception. Staff was very friendly and helpfulNon-smoking room with 2 single beds. Room size ok, bathroom basic. The shower in the bathtub was too low for me and rather inconvenient. Location is great to go to nearby pubs and restaurants.

The revolving sky restaurant is great for having a drink as you can sit outside as well and look all around Penang.

Stayed: November 2013, travelled on business

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Ask johan129 about Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang

Thank johan129

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

bhgpg, General Manager at Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang, responded to this reviewResponded 3 December 2013

Dear johan129,

Greetings from Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang.

Thank you for taking the time to post your review on your recent stay with us.

I apologize for the lack of signage at the car park and will look into ways to improve on this. I am glad to note that you found all my staff very friendly and helpful and that the hotel was in a strategic location. Thank you also for your compliments on 360° Revolving Restaurant & Skybar.

We hope to welcome you back again soon.

Kind regardsLawrence PereraHotel Manager

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

The building itself is rather old, even though it's recently refurbished. So the rooms were comfy and clean enough, but still old in places. The car park is difficult to find, and access between the hotel and car park is quite troublesome, having to walk up/down stairs, then accessing another lift, which is small and will have trouble fitting a large family. The hotel and rooms are alright, though.

The location is great, within walking distance to Georgetown's heritage quarter which is fast gaining popularity with the hipsters and backpackers. And of course, the many food outlets Penang is famous for.

Do go up to the sky bar upstairs. It commands a fantastic view of the city and the sea.

Stayed: November 2013, travelled with friends

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Ask chiselstone about Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang

Thank chiselstone

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

bhgpg, General Manager at Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang, responded to this reviewResponded 29 November 2013

Dear chiselstone,

Greetings from Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang.

Thank you for taking the time to post you review of your recent stay with us.

I am glad that you found our rooms comfortable and clean and the hotel situated in a great location. Thank you also for your compliments on 360° Revolving Restaurant & Skybar.

It was a pleasure having you stay with us and we hope to see you again.

Kind regardsLawrence PereraHotel Manager

Report response as inappropriateThank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC